Need an opinion: Platform for mods 45acp... (replacing my Nork)

emilio613

emilio613

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Ok guys, so this is going to be a little... I guess subjective. However, the more options, the better I will be off in making any decisions.

I have a Norinco 1911. I have added custom grips to it (bubinga wood), and a storm lake threaded barrel with a 2 port compensator, along with a 3 hole trigger from sporter Nork.

I have been getting flac from people for putting money into a norinco, and to be honest, I am starting to see their logic. It's not the most ideal platform. (it's no kimber of Springfield).

My dilemma is as follows; If I sell it (I will get to that in a second, as to how I would break it down), what could I get in 45ACP that isn't going to cost me a fortune, but that I could also hop up a little bit?

Should I sell the norc with stock barrel, save the SL 2 port barrel and buy a better 1911 (into which I can stick that barrel)??

Or can you guys recommend another platform altogether that would be a better starting point. I would only want to add a lengthened barrel with a threaded comp and maybe some other goodies like grips. No need to make it intense.

Bottom line: I simply don't want to blow a fortune, and was wondering if I should stick with the Norinco 1911 (just add better sights), or should I look for something a little more quality (and if it can exist in the price range of about $600 max).

I was looking into Sig p220's in 45acp, but then I noticed they have the DA/SA trigger system....probably not too comfortable to shoot I have heard. Probably very expensive too.

PS I don't want to sound rude, but if my thread seems stupid to you, please don't reply...just hit the big back button in your top left corner haha. I only want some normal replies.
 
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I think putting money in to Norinco 1911s is one of the better moves you can make in the .45 game, personally. I would take a well-done Norinco over lots of much "better" (read built in brazil or the phillipines, with an American brand name) guns.

If it were mine, here is what I would do:

extended beavertail safety
ambi thumb safety
night sights
off to Armco for a full tune

You will have a 1911 that will probably out perform most out-of-the-box Kimbers at this point...

People often do not realize the potential of Norinco 1911s. Some custom builders in the states specifically track down old Norinco guns to use the frames. They are rough out of the box, but IMO your Norinco has the potential to run with most sub-$1500 1911s.
 
misanthropist said:
I think putting money in to Norinco 1911s is one of the better moves you can make in the .45 game, personally. I would take a well-done Norinco over lots of much "better" (read built in brazil or the phillipines, with an American brand name) guns.

If it were mine, here is what I would do:

extended beavertail safety
ambi thumb safety
night sights
off to Armco for a full tune

You will have a 1911 that will probably out perform most out-of-the-box Kimbers at this point...

People often do not realize the potential of Norinco 1911s. Some custom builders in the states specifically track down old Norinco guns to use the frames. They are rough out of the box, but IMO your Norinco has the potential to run with most sub-$1500 1911s.
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That's the most direct and most supportive advise I have ever received. :)

Thanks man! I will keep the Nork then I guess! Just get a few little things for it... (I wouldn't mind a magwell, but $50 for a used MSH type one is a little much for me). I was supposed to have a dlask trigger in it.... but CanadaPost lost the f8cking package!
 
Norinco only has the stigma of a "cheap combloc POS" up here because of all the haters. Yet those south of the border look at our ready supply of these guns and sigh in envy.

Down in the US one of the more sought after frames and slides for building up 1911's are Norinco's. Everything else may well end up swapped out but they actually go LOOKING for frames and slides. So assuming that the quality of these parts has remained constant you could do a lot worse. There may well be some work to still be done on these parts but the idea is that most of it is there and ready to build upon a solid foundation.
 
See, I have heard of people in the states really wanting these guns, due to their "railway" steel frames and their durability. I have also read horror stories of Kimbers and STI's cracking etc.

So maybe my Norinco is nothing to scoff at (once I get it done up nicely).

PS I need one tip. How does one go about replacing the front sight on a norc? I mean, it is a part of the slide, no? do people.... grind it down and put another one over top?
 
There's two ways that sights are installed on 1911's. The rather obvious dovetail and the not so obvious insert and stake the end internally. Look inside the slide and you'll likely see a pin that is the sight base inside just under the sight. Grind the end off some careful use of a Dremel and you should be able to work it out.
 
BCRider said:
There's two ways that sights are installed on 1911's. The rather obvious dovetail and the not so obvious insert and stake the end internally. Look inside the slide and you'll likely see a pin that is the sight base inside just under the sight. Grind the end off some careful use of a Dremel and you should be able to work it out.
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Ah, ok cool. Yea, the rear sight is not biggie, it's the front that had be scratching the 'ol gulliver.

I should probably ask, can anyone recommend a good set of inexpensive adjustable sights? Can be night sights....I wonder if I could just swap some adjust. sights off a Sporter model norc 1911 lol
 
emilio613 said:
...I should probably ask, can anyone recommend a good set of inexpensive adjustable sights? Can be night sights....I wonder if I could just swap some adjust. sights off a Sporter model norc 1911 lol
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Fully adjustable sights require that the slide be machined to make a little flat area behind the dovetail.
 
In your case, personally, I'd stick with the Norinco... ;)

2007-10-27_091302_1aCoffee.gif

NAA.
 
Two thoughts:

1) Spend the money on ammo instead, until you can outshoot the pistol and actually *need* to upgrade. By then you'll know what features are really most important to you.

2) It'll probably be more difficult to sell a tuned Norinco than a stock Norinco. And you probably won't recoup the money you spent customizing it. If you want to tune your current pistol and keep it for the long haul, great. But if you're thinking of selling it at some point down the line and buying a more premium model then you may just be "throwing good money after bad" by paying to have the current pistol worked on.
 
Culwathion said:
Two thoughts:

1) Spend the money on ammo instead, until you can outshoot the pistol and actually *need* to upgrade. By then you'll know what features are really most important to you.

2) It'll probably be more difficult to sell a tuned Norinco than a stock Norinco. And you probably won't recoup the money you spent customizing it. If you want to tune your current pistol and keep it for the long haul, great. But if you're thinking of selling it at some point down the line and buying a more premium model then you may just be "throwing good money after bad" by paying to have the current pistol worked on.
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Your point # 2 is EXACTLY what worries me. I would like to be to able to recoup a large chunk when I sell the pistol, if I shop smart now when I do upgrades. If I won't be able to get money back... well that just sucks.

Too bad these guns aren't allowed in the states due to the whole "them darn chinese took rrrr jobssss" syndrome. I would probably have a larger market to sell to (paperwork aside).

Well, people are saying to stick with the Nork, so maybe I will keep it.

As for ammo.... I got a nice supply of that in my cabinet lol. ;)

EDIT: One more thing.... How much is the cheapest .22 conversion for a Norinco 1911? I wouldn't want to waste all my ammo trarget shooting, when I could be popping away with .22lr's.
 
You can't invest in a Norinco and expect to make any of that money back.

I gave away my Nork 1911, because I would have felt bad asking for money for it, but from internet legend, apparently mine is the only Norinco EVER that was an utter and complete piece of crap.

But, my experience must be a delusion, as well, at least in the court of public opinion, where I have been labeled an elitist racist for calling a spade a spade. H:S:

If you've already got money into your Nork, and it works for you: Stick with it, I say. w:h:
 
nelly said:
You can't invest in a Norinco and expect to make any of that money back.

I gave away my Nork 1911, because I would have felt bad asking for money for it, but from internet legend, apparently mine is the only Norinco EVER that was an utter and complete piece of crap.

But, my experience must be a delusion, as well, at least in the court of public opinion, where I have been labeled an elitist racist for calling a spade a spade. H:S:

If you've already got money into your Nork, and it works for you: Stick with it, I say. w:h:
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It's not too late to turn back yet. I bought the norc with an ammo deal for a good price, then I bought the storm lake barrel privately (used). The trigger was free from a fellow CGNer. The grips I made with my father (who has carpentry experience). So it has been a cost effective project.

PS if you ever feel like giving any more guns away, feel free to PM. Being a recent grad with a debt to pay back worth the price of a new car, I wouldn't mind it at all, even if the gun is crap!
 
As far as Norc frames and slides go, they are probably the toughest made, possibly the toughest ever made. If you have a recent one there's a good chance that it will outlast you, even with a steady diet of full power loads. There were some early Norc .45 frames (according to someone who would know better than me), in which the alignment of the pin holes was not correct - which might explain Nelly's issues and which could cause problems. Assuming you have a relatively recent one it's a great shooter. These guns fit in an odd place in the market, they are an ideal gun if you want a 1911 and you don't want to spend a fortune. They are also ideal if you want to shoot a ton of ammo and don't want to be worried about breaking things, or you want to build a once in a lifetime gun which you don't intend to sell. The fact is if you sink a lot of money into a Norc that you plan to sell later, you will lose money. You'll be able to get the cost of an Armco tune up back, and possibly new sights but beyond that you'll lose.

PS I write this as a Norc Compact owner with thousands of trouble free rounds through the gun (Armco tuned).
 
Well, to be honest, I gave the 1911 to my wife, who promptly used it as trade fodder with a store for an XD9.

I mean, I guess I did get paid, with ###ual favours... No offence, but I doubt you're as good as my wife!

;)
 
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